Thousands in law enforcement to join public in mourning Arkell

EXETER — Escorted by as many as 30 police cruisers with their blue lights flashing, the hearse carrying the body of fallen Brentwood police officer Steve Arkell arrived at the Stockbridge Funeral Home on Friday night as thousands of mourners prepare to pay their final respects next week.

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By Jason Schreiber

seacoastonline.com

By Jason Schreiber

Posted May. 17, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated May 17, 2014 at 11:58 AM

By Jason Schreiber

Posted May. 17, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated May 17, 2014 at 11:58 AM

DONATIONS HELP ARKELL FAMILY

A fund has been established to assist the wife and two daughters of fallen Brentwood police officer Stephen Arkell. Donations can be made to the Mrs. Stephen Arkell Fund, c/o TD Bank, 53 Church St....

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DONATIONS HELP ARKELL FAMILY

A fund has been established to assist the wife and two daughters of fallen Brentwood police officer Stephen Arkell. Donations can be made to the Mrs. Stephen Arkell Fund, c/o TD Bank, 53 Church St., Kingston, NH 03848. Donations can also be made at any TD Bank branch.

The Exeter Police Association will accept donations for the Arkell family at the Exeter bandstand from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday.

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EXETER — Escorted by as many as 30 police cruisers with their blue lights flashing, the hearse carrying the body of fallen Brentwood police officer Steve Arkell arrived at the Stockbridge Funeral Home on Friday night as thousands of mourners prepare to pay their final respects next week.

The procession slowly made its way from Concord to Exeter, arriving at the funeral home on Epping Road shortly after 6:30 p.m.

Several motorists stopped on overpasses to watch as the procession headed east on Route 101.

Some were just curious and wondered why there was a line of cruisers.

Others came for a reason.

Angela Wood, wife of Brentwood police Sgt. Denny Wood, stood with her children to watch as the procession approached a bridge in Epping.

"We are a cop family mourning and being strong, and times like these remind us of the strength we have. It was difficult to see that long line of cruisers. Still, I'm in shock Steve is not with us," she said.

In Exeter, customers at Front Row Pizzeria gathered outside to watch as the procession pulled into the funeral home next door and Arkell's casket was removed and carried inside, where police will keep a 24-hour vigil until the memorial service next week.

"It really struck home for us now," Exeter police Chief Rich Kane said after Arkell's body arrived four days after Arkell was shot and killed in Brentwood while responding to a domestic disturbance.

Exeter police Capt. Bill Shupe was among the officers on hand to help with traffic outside the funeral home.

Many other law enforcement agencies offered up their vehicles for the procession.

"It brings everybody together to show support for his family and pay respects to a man that did what we do every day," Shupe said.

Meanwhile, plans are now being made to accommodate the estimated 3,000 to 5,000 mourners expected to pay their respects at a memorial service next Wednesday.

A walk-through for law enforcement, firefighters and other public safety personnel will be held Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Exeter High School.

A memorial service is planned for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Exeter High School stadium followed by a public wake to be held Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stockbridge Funeral Home in Exeter.

Arkell, 48, was shot and killed Monday afternoon when he responded to a home at 46 Mill Pond Road to investigate a report of a verbal domestic disturbance.

Michael Nolan, the shooter who is believed to have gunned down Arkell inside the home, also died. Authorities have said he was likely killed in an explosion that followed the shooting.

Law enforcement and public safety officers from around the country are expected to arrive for the walk-through and memorial service.

Kane said there will be about 1,500 bleacher seats available for the public at the memorial service. The rest of the seating on the field will be for law enforcement and public safety workers.

Fremont police officer Derek Franek was asked to lead the funeral procession to the high school in a Brentwood police cruiser. Franek is a former Brentwood officer and arrived at the shooting scene to help Arkell, but he was driven out of the house when he came under fire.

Those marching in the procession will gather at New England Dragway on Route 27 and make their way to the high school for the service.

Police plan to shut down Route 27 from the dragway to Old Town Farm Road around 9:30 a.m.

Some 900 parking spaces are available at the high school and people will be allowed to park along Route 27 and Blue Hawk Drive, the entrance to the high school.

Kane urged anyone planning to park along the section of Route 27 to be closed to do so before 9:30 a.m.

Route 27 will remain closed until about 10:30 a.m.

Those attending the service should arrive at the high school by 10 a.m.

Even if they're not able to attend the service, Kane said people are encouraged to line Route 27 along the procession route to watch and show their support.